Residents of Kabul have difference of opinion on foreign military presence

KABUL (PAN): Some residents of central capital city Kabul are not happy with military presence of allied forces in Afghanistan but some of them while stressing upon their presence said if they left the country, civil war might start again.

Khwaja Muhammad Naistani, lecturer in Literature Faculty of Kabul University told Pajhwok Afghan News, foreign forces were acting against the national interest of the country.

International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) had no achievement within last 10 years while they had only prolonged war in Afghanistan, he said.

The Alliance was there for own interests, not for them so they should leave Afghanistan, Naistani added and said, “US must revisit her policies, otherwise they will have same result as Soviet Union had faced in Afghanistan,” he said.

Abdul Qayum, student of Journalism Faculty in Kabul University said international community was there for their own benefits and interests while Afghans should not be victimized.

Aid from International Community was not effective for Afghans because a considerable amount spent over services provided by them, he complained.

According to some reports, the International Community had donated $ 57 billion from 2001 to 2010, but only 18 percent of it was spent by Afghan government while rest of money by the donors.

Afghan government’s authorities said they were only accountable for the money spent by them.

Afghan officials claimed projects implemented by the donors were three times expensive than those implemented by Afghan government.

Commenting on the situation after foreign forces withdrawal in 2014, Qayum said, “Anything can happen but still foreign troops must leave Afghanistan.”

Muhammad Yousaf, resident of Qala Laki area of Pacheer Agam district of eastern Nangrahar province, currently living in central Kabul city said allied forces had only kept war in progress and killed innocent Afghans.

Anar Gul, a shopkeeper from Naiz Bek area of Kabul city said the allied forces had brought insecurity as well as corruption in the country.

Afghans must be united to work for the country’s progress and brought peace, he demanded.

According to another local Syed Mumtaz, Americans were here for own benefits who had nothing to do with poor people of Afghanistan, so they should left.

If foreign forces wanted to stay in the country, they must help poor people, he said.

However some of the residents are although not agreed with the performance of the alliance but still they want them to stay in the country.

Muhammad Jameel Maryaniwal, lecturer in Physiology Faculty of Kabul University said International Community had failed to brought peace and reconstruction of the country.

Naheed Mirkhel, a student of literature in Kabul University believed, presence of foreign forces was in the benefit of Afghanistan.

“Security situation is not good at the moment and withdrawal of ISAF in such a situation will not be fair,” she said.

Farhad, resident of Bagh-i-Bala area of Kabul city said former warlords would take over if the alliance left the country.

Haji Amanullah, resident of Mirwais Maidan area of the city also agreed, presence of foreign troops was important for the country.

He wanted the US to take serious measures in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan to stop killings.